Bag tying machine



Nov. 8, 1966 e. c. BOWER 3,283,474

BAG TYING MACHINE Filed June 13, 1963 4 Sheets-Sheet l Nov. 8, 1966 G. c. BOWER 3,283,474

BAG TYING MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 15, 1963 INVENTORS Q 452440 0. 50/4 54 \Q ATTORNEYS.

Nov. 8, 1966 G. c. BOWER 3,283,474

BAG 'IYING MACHINE Filed June 15, 1963 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR. 658440 6. EWVE? Nov. 8, 1966 5. c. BOWER BAG TYING MACHINE Filed June 13, 1965 4 sheetssheet 4 all l r *n' HHHIHHHH United States Patent 3,283,474 BAG TYING MACHINE Gerald C. Bower, Santa Ana, Calif., assignor to Royal Industries, Inc., Pasadena, Calif., a corporation of California Filed June 13, 1963, Ser. No. 287,646 Claims. (Cl. 53-135) This invention relates to improvements in automatic machinery for closing the necks of bags and for applying a tie therearound.

Automatic tying machines are known wherein a filleo bag is inserted into the machine after which the machine automatically preliminarily closes the neck of the bag, turns the bag so that its neck is twisted, and secondarily further closes the neck of the bag. Thereupon a tie is twisted around the neck of the bag to make a permanent, yet removable, reuseable closure.

This invention relates particularly to the secondary neck closing operation after the bag neck is twisted. Improved members positively urge the twisted bag into a tighter wrap so that maximum sealing of the bag neck is obtained. The automatic typing machine provided by the present invention includes apparatus which firmly and positively finally closes the neck of the bag and holds it while the tie is wrapped around the neck. The apparatus is reliable and provides trouble free operation.

Generally speaking the present invention is provided in conjunction with a' bag tying machine which includes means for transporting a bag to be tied along a predetermined path, and means for placing a tie around the neck of the bag. The machine also includes means for twisting the tie to tighten the tie around the neck of the bag. The present invention encompasses apparatus in such a machine for closing the neck of the bag. The bag closing means includes a first movable closing arm located along the path of movement of the bag. The closing arm is movable in response to movement of the bag through the bag tying machine. The bag closing means also includes a second closing arm operated by the first closing arm. The closing arms cooperate with one another to close the bag while the means for twisting the tie is operable.

The above mentioned and other features of this invention will become apparent upon study of the following specification and attached drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a bag tying machine according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional elevation view taken along line IIII of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional elevation view taken along line HI-IH of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged detailed view of a central portion of the apparatus illustrated in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 shows an operative position of the mechanism illustrated in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 shows a further operative position of the mechanism illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5;

FIG. 7 is a side elevation view of the mechanism illustrated in FIG. 4;

FIG. 8 is a cross-section view taken along line VIII- VIII of FIG. 7; and

FIGS. 9, 10, 11, 12, and 13 are diagrammatic views indicating steps performed on a bag during the operation of the bag typing machine.

Referring initially to FIG. 1, there is shown a bag tying machine 20 which includes a covering hood 21 supported by a framework 22. The framework includes preferably parallel, horizontally disposed side member 23 which extends longitudinally of the framework between the opposite ends of the framework. The framework below the hood along the sides thereof is enclosed by panels 24 to impart a substantially tunnel-like configuration to the machine. As illustrated more clearly in FIG. 3, a bearing 25 is mounted to each side member 23 so as to be axially aligned with the bearing on the other side member. These bearings, through the use of small shafts 26, rotatably mount a support table 27 upon which are mounted the bag closing and tying mechanisms described below. The rotatable mounting of table 27 to frame work 22 provides that the table may be moved for servicing the mechamsm secured to the underside of the table. Hood 21 carries controls 28 for starting and stopping the machine.

Support table 20 is comprised of two substantially planar rectangular table parts 29 and 30 which are preferably of equal length. The table parts preferably are oriented in coplanar parallel relation with the longitudinal edge of one part being disposed spaced apart from a longitudinal edge of the other part so as to define an elongated slot 31 lengthwise of a central portion of table 27. Table parts 29 and 30 are secured together by a pair of transversely disposed brace members 32 which traverse the slot across the upper side of table 27.

An electric motor 33, shown in dashed lines in FIG. 3, is mounted to the upper side of table 27 and drives a gear train 34 which spans slot 31 across the upper side of the table. The gear train includes a pair of shafts 35 disposed on opposite sides of the slot and a second group of shafts 36 disposed two on one side of the slot and a third shaft on the opposite side of the slot; preferably shafts 36 are disposed in a line with shafts 35. A plurality of gears 37 are connected to shafts 35 and 36 for rotation from motor 33. The gears are so disposed that shafts 35 rotate at equal angular velocities and those of shafts 36 thsposed immediately adjacent to shafts 35 also rotate at equal angular velocities. A pulley 38 is mounted to each of shafts 35 closely adjacent the underside of table 27, as shown in FIG. 3. Pulleys 38 operate in conjunction with a second pair of pulleys 39 disposed at the opposite end of the table on opposite sides of slot 31 on shafts 40. V-belts 41A, 41B are mounted around pulleys 38, 39 so as to be disposed substantially parallel to slot 31 with the adjacent extents of the V-belts disposed in contact with one another centrally of the slot immediately below the undersurfaces of table parts 29 and 30. The directions of movement of the belts are indicated by the arrows in FIG. 3 which signify the directions of rotation of the pulleys to which the belts are mounted. The V-belts travel at the same speed longitudinally of slot 31.

An elongated back-up bar 43 is mounted to table part 30 in parallel alignment with slot 31. As illustrated more clearly in FIG. 8, back-up bar 43 has a groove 44 formed therein in the side of the bar adjacent the slot so as to receive the inner edge of V-belt 41B. A mounting bar 45 is secured to table part 29 in parallelly spaced relation from back-up bar 43. A plurality of horizontally disposed pins 46 are slidably mounted through the mounting bar at spaced apart locations along the mounting bar. The pins also are disposed at substantially right angles to the elongate extent of slot 31. A plurality of pusher elements 47 are secured to the ends of the pins adjacent the slot and a small leaf spring 48 engages the end of each pin 46 which is spaced oppositely from the slot. Each pusher element has a groove formed in the face thereof which is exposed to the slot for receiving the rearward side of belt 41A. As a result of the resilient bias of pins 46 toward slot 31, the pusher elements are operated so that'the adjacent portions of belts 41A and 41B are maintained in contact with one another along the elongate extent of slot 31. Each leaf spring 47 is secured to the side of the mounting bar opposite from the slot by a screw 49 disposed intermediate the ends of the spring so that each of the opposite ends of the spring engages one of pins 46;

this is shown more clearly in'FIG. 2.

Motor 33 is provided for driving a plurality'of belts in addition to V-belts 41A and 41B. For example, a pulley .50 is rotatably mountedto the underside of table part 29 the peripheral velocities of pulleys 38. A belt 53 is engaged between pulleys 50 and 51 and has an irregular or notched external surface. The extremities of pulleys 50 and 51 which are disposed adjacent slot 31 are spaced equidistantly from slot 31; preferably pulleys 50 and 51 are located in a common horizontal plane spaced a predetermined amount from the plane of the table as shown in FIGS. 2 and 7.

Shaft 52 extends through table part 29 and has a pulley 54 mounted to its upper end for rotation with the shaft. A shaft 55 is disposed parallel to shaft 52 and is rotatably mounted through table part 29 at a location adjacent shaft 52 but spaced toward pulleys 39. A pulley 56 is secured to the upper end of shaft 55 and has engaged therewith a belt 57 which is also engaged with pulley 54 so that shaft 55 is rotated in response to rotation of shaft 52. The lower end of shaft 55 carries; a pulley 58 which is disposed between the underside of table part 29 and pul- I ley 51 (see FIG. 2). Pulley 58 cooperates with a pulley 59 rotatably mounted on a shaft 60 depending from the underside of table part 29 adjacent the one of shafts 40 secured to table part 29. A belt 61 having a notched or irregularly configured external surface is engaged with pulleys 58 and 59. The diameters of pulleys 54, 56, and 58 are such that belt 61 moves at a greater linear velocity than belts 41A, 41B, and 53. As illustrated more clearly in FIG. 2, pulleys 58 and 59 are disposed so that belt 60 moves parallel to slot 30 and is off-set slightly toward table part 29 from the elongate extent of the slot but lies between the slot and the portion of belt 53 which extends parallel to the slot.

An elongated engaging bar 63 is mounted to the under- A side of table part 30 but is spaced apart from the table and is disposed parallel to the elongate extent of slot 31. As illustrated more clearly in FIG. 2, the engaging bar is disposed adjacent belt 61 and extends beyond pulley 59 to curve away from the slot generally concentric to the axis of rotation of the one of shafts 40 which is rotatably journalled to table part 30. A rubbing member 64, preferably fabricated from a length of belt similar to belt 53 or 61 in that it has a notched surface, is disposed in a serpentine-like configuration along the elongate extent of the engaging bar below slot 31 with the teeth of the rubbing member being disposed toward belt 61. Preferably engaging bar 63 is disposed coplanar with belt 61. Two convolutions 65 of the rubbing element are located upstream of belt 61 and are secured to the curved end of the engaging bar. The engaging bar is mounted upon a plurality of brackets 66 which are held with respect to one another on the underside of table part 30 by means of bolts 67 which engage elongated slots in the brackets so that the relative position between the engaging bar and belt 61 may be easily changed during operation of the bag tying machine.

A sliding strip 68 is secured to the underside of table part 30 adjacent belt 53 and is generally parallel to slot 31 but has its opposite ends curved away from the slot. Preferably the sliding strip is disposed between the undersurface of table 27 and the plane in which belt 53 is disposed. Additionally, it is preferred that the sliding strip be spaced laterally from the edge of table part 30 which 7 defines slot 31, as shown in FIG. 2.

The structuredescribed thus far operates to twist the neck 201 of a bag 200 introduced into the machine and to hold the bag in its twisted condition. The upper end the bag.v As soon as a bag is engaged between belts 41A and 41B, it is engaged by convolutions 65 of rubbing element 64 a short distance below neck 201 of the bag. As this occurs the bag tends to be rotated as it is dragged along the surface of the engaging bar. Bag neck 201 ultimately comes into engagement with belt 61 which has a greater lineal speed than the belts 41A and 41B in a,

direction parallel to the, direction in which the lug is moved. Accordingly, the neck of the bag is further twisted as belt 61 acts upon the bag. By the time the bag passes beyond pulley 58, the neck of the bag is-tightly twisted in the fashion shown .in FIG. 10. The lower filled portion of the bag then engages belt 53 and is held between this belt and sliding strip 68 to prevent the bag from untwisting as it is carried further through the ma chine to have a tie element 205 secured around its neck to securely but removably close thebag.

Now continuing with the description of the structure of the machine, it will be seen that a shoe-like press bar 70 is mounted to the underside of table part '29 between pulleys 50 and 51. The press bar 70 is pivoted to the table part at a bearing 71 and is resiliently biased, as by a spring 72 for movement toward slot 31. The press bar accordingly is urged against an opposing face 74 of a housing 75 secured to the underside of table part 30. Housing face 74 preferably is oft-set slightly toward table part 29 from the, plane of engagement between belts 41A and 413.

A feeler arm 76 is rotatably mounted to the underside of table part 30 at a pivot 77 and one end thereof rides against the upstream end of press bar 70. The end of feeler arm 76 spacedopposite from slot 31 engages. a switch 78. Switch 78 is connected to operate a solenoid 79 which is connected to a guillotine-type cutter bar 80 slidably' engaged in housing 75. When a bag is embraced between holding belts 41A, 41B and moves from left to right in FIG. 2, the passage of the bag neck past feele'r arm 76 operates switch 78 to actuate the solenoid so that the cutter element is operated against the bias of a return spring 81 to sever. a length 205 of bag tie material 82. The tie material 82 preferably is a malleable wire coated with plastic or laminated between two layers of flat plastic. The tie material may also be comprised of a malleable wire laminated between two layers ofpaper, or of male leable wire wrapped in paper, or of bare malleable wire.

A housing 83 is mounted to the underside of table 27 at a location spaced apart'from slot 31 for covering a rotatable spool 84 of tie material 82.. From the housing the strand of tie material extends around a corner 85, used for straightening the tie material, and ,into a guide tube 86 which feeds the strand of tie material through a drive block 87. A drive roller 88 is mounted to drive block 87 and engages one side of the strand of tie material. The other side of the strand engages an idler roller 89 which also is secured to block 87. A second guide tube 90 feeds the strand of tie material into housing 75 and through a guide channel 91 past the cutting end of guillotine cutter 80; channel 91 continues past the cutter and opens to surface 74 of housing 75.

As bag 200, having its neck 201 already twisted, is moved past the opening of channel 91 in housing surface 74, the neck of the bag engages a projecting end of length 205 of tie material which was cut to the proper extent as the bag actuated switch 78 (see FIG. 11). Continued movement of the bag between press bar 70 and housing 75 causes the severed length of tie material to be folded about the neck of the bag at substantially the midpoint of length 205 so that the tie material is disposed in substantially a U-shape around the neck of the bag as shown in FIG. 12. Engagement of the bag neck between press bar 70 and housing face 74 also serves to close the bag neck transverse to the direction of movement of the bag.

Also mounted to housing 75 is a tier member having a spirally configured hooked head 94 as shown in FIG. 8. The tier head is disposed below slot 31 and is driven by a rotatable shaft 95 connected to bevel gears 96 disposed within housing 75 and driven by a rotatable shaft 97 which is operatively connected to an electric motor 98 secured to the underside of table part 30. The connection between shaft 97 and motor 98 is by means of an electro-magnetic clutch 99 and an electric brake 100. It is within the scope of the present invention, however, that the connection of shaft 97 may be by other suitable means, such as directly to a rapid start-type electric motor so that the rotation of the tier head is started and stopped with rapidity. Drive roller 88, provided for feeding strand 82 of tie material to housing 75, also preferably is driven from motor 98 by means of a shaft 101 connected to brake 100.

As seen from the accompanying drawings and from the foregoing description, the feed mechanism for the tie material is driven from the same power source as the means for rotating tier head 94. The mechanism for generating the signal which controls this power source is described below.

Additional bag neck closing means are located beneath table 27 adjacent housing 75 and are operable to close the bag neck during the period when tier head 94 is operated to twist tie strand 205 around bag neck 201. A pivot post 103 is secured to the underside of table part 29 slightly downstream from tier head 94 (see. FIG. 4). A bag neck closing arm 104 is provided to pivot post 103 at a location spaced from the underside of table part 29 (see FIGS. 7 and 8). The closing arm includes a finger 105 which extends transversely of slot 31 immediately below the location of bag conveying belts 41A and 41B, and passes above tier head 94. Finger 105 is engaged by bag 200 as it proceeds along slot 31 and is rotated by movement of the bag in a clockwise direction as is shown progressively in FIGS. 4, 5, and 6. A spring 106 is provided for biasing closing arm 104 in a counterclockwise direction about pivot 103. The resilient bias of the spring resists the clockwise movement of the closing arm such that the leading edge of the bag neck 201 is compressed against finger 105 so that the bag neck is closed in the direction of movement of the bag through machine 20.

The portion of closing arm 104 spaced opposite from finger 105 defines a cam face 107 which controls actuation of a switch 108. The switch is connected to motor 98, or to clutch 99 and brake 100, such that shafts 97 and 101 are rotated while switch 108 is in its actuated condition. It is thus seen that switch 108 is the signal generator for controlling operation of both tier head 94 and the mechanism for feeding tie material into housing 75. As the closing arm reaches the position illustrated in FIG. 5, switch 108 is placed into its actuated condition to cause rotation of tier head 94.

An adjusting mechanism is connected between switch 108 and the underside of table part 29 so that the location of the bag and finger 105 may be accurately positioned with respect to the starting of tier head 94.

Counterclockwise movement of closing arm 104 is limited by a stop finger 109 which depends from the underside of table part 29 to locate the closing arm in a rest position illustrated in FIG. 4.

A second closing arm 110, having a forwardly extending finger 111, is rotatably mounted on a second pivot 112 which preferably is disposed just adjacent pivot 103 upstream from closing arm 104. The second closing arm carries a cam follower 113 on the side thereof disposed adjacent the underside of table part 29 which is engageable with a cam face 114 disposed on the edge of closing arm 104 which opens opposite to the direction of movement of a bag through the machine. A spring 115 is biased between closing arms 104 and 110 to maintain follower 113 in engagement with cam face 114 (see FIG. 4). The location of pivots 103 and 112, the location of cam follower 113. the shape of fingers 105 and 11, and the shape of cam face 114 cause fingers 111 to overtake and close with finger 105 as finger 105 is propelled by a bag. The twisted neck of the bag is thus engaged between fingers 105 and 111 and the bag is thereby further closed while tier head 94 is operated to enable a very tight and secure tie to be made therearound.

When a bag 200 arrives at the section of the machine illustrated in FIG. 4, it has its neck 201 twisted into the condition shown in FIG. 10. The bag actuates lever 76 which in turn actuates the guillotine shear to cut off a length 205 of tie material, as described hereinabove. Length 205 extends across slot 31 ahead of the neck of the bag when it is severed from tie material strand 82.. The neck of the bag then picks up the tie material (see FIG. 11) which is then bent into a U-shaped configuration with the ends of the strip trailing behind the bag neck (see FIG. 12). The press bar 70, in cooperation with face 74 of housing 75, closes the bag more firmly in a direction transverse to its direction of travel. The bag then reaches finger and rotates closing arm 104 in a clockwise direction about its pivot to the position shown in FIG. 5. The rotation of closing arm 104 causes second closing arm to rotate from the position illustrated in FIG. 4 (where it was out of the path of motion of the bag) to appear behind the bag neck and to move forward with respect to the bag for further closing of the bag neck. When the first and second closing arms reach the position illustrated in FIG. 5, switch 108 is actuated to commence rotation of tier head 94. The spiral hooked configuration of the tier head causes tier head 94 to pick up the trailing ends of the U-shaped tie material and twist them tightly about the closed neck of the bag as shown in FIG. 13. As the bag moves farther forward, as shown in FIG. 6, finger 105 of closing arm 104 moves out of the travel of the bag such that the bag continues through the slot and is discharged from machine 10. Springs 106 and return arm 104 and 110 to the position shown in FIG. 4. The return of the arms to their normal position de-actuates switch 108 and ceases rotation of tier head 42.

It was noted above that actuation of switch 108 also controls the feed of tie material through the cutter head. The rate of feed of the strip of tie material is predetermined such that a preselected amount of tie material equal in extent to tie length 205 is passed beyond guillotine cutter head 80 before switch 108 is de-activated. The appearance of the next bag at the sensing end of lever 76 causes this preselected amount of tie material to be severed from strand 82.

This invention is an improvement over the bag tying machines described in co-pending patent application bearing Serial Number 120,591 filed on June 29, 1961. This co-pending application discloses and claims the basic structure for the improved machine and has now matured into Patent 3,131,520.

What is claimed is:

1. In a bag tying machine including means to transport a bag to be tied along a predetermined path through the machine, means for closing the neck of a bag to be tied transported along said path, means for placing a tie strip around the closed neck of the bag to be tied, means for tying the tie strip around the closed neck of thebag, said closing including means mounted adjacent the tying means for actuating the latter and for urging the bag to be tied into a tighter wrap and holding the bag closed while the tying means is operative, said latter means adjacent said tying means comprising a first closing arm movable in response to the engagement with closed bag 7 moving towards said tying means, and a second closing arm arranged out of the predetermined path and movable in response to engagement with said first closing arm in an overtaking relationship'to the closed bag neck whereby the bag neck is compacted between the first and second face opening in a direction opposite to the movement of the bag through the machine,.and said second closing arm comprises a pivotable member having a closing finger at one end for coaction with said first closing finger to compact the bag to be tied and defined with a cam follower arranged to be maintained in engagement with the cam face of said first arm.

4. In a bag tying machine as defined in claim 3 including yieldable means for maintaining said cam follower in engagement with said cam face.

5. In a bag tying machine as defined in claim 4 wherein said tie strip is characterized as being capable of being tied by twisting and said tying means ties the tie strip ,by twisting the tie strip upon itself.

References Cited by theExaminer UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,551,525 8/1925 Hamel 53138 1,823,442 9/1931 Foulder 53 135 2,711,278 6/1955 Gray 53135 3,083,512 4/1963 Hilton 53198 X FOREIGN PATENTS r 878,447 9/1961 Great'Britain.

20 FRANK E. BAILEY, Primary Examiner.

L. S. BOUCHARD, Assistant Examiner. 

1. IN A BAG TYING MACHINE INCLUDING MEANS TO TRANSPORT A BAG TO BE TIED ALONG A PREDETERMINED PATH THROUGH THE MACHINE, MEANS FOR CLOSING THE NECK OF A BAG TO BE TIED TRANSPORTED ALONG SAID PATH, MEANS FOR PLACING A TIE STRIP AROUND THE CLOSED NECK OF THE BAG TO BE TIED, MEANS FOR TYING THE TIE STRIP AROUND THE CLOSED NECK OF THE BAG, SAID CLOSING INCLUDING MEANS MOUNTED ADJACENT THE TYING MEANS FOR ACTUATING THE LATTER AND FOR URGING THE BAG TO BE TIED INTO A TIGHTER WRAP AND HOLDING THE BAG CLOSED WHILE THE TYING MEANS IS OPERATIVE, SAID LATTER MEANS ADJACENT AND TYING MEANS COMPRISIN G A FIRST CLOSING ARM MOVABLE IN RESPONSE TO THE ENGAGEMENT WITH CLOSED BAG MOVING TOWARDS SAID TYING MEANS, AND A SECOND CLOSING ARM ARRANGED OUT OF THE PREDETERMINED PATH AND MOVABLE IN RESPONSE TO ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID FIRST CLOSING ARM IN AN OVERTAKING RELATIONSHIP TO THE CLOSED BAG NECK WHEREBY THE BAG NECK IS COMPACTED BETWEEN THE FIRST AND SECOND ARMS. 